Where to Play Pickleball in Memphis

Did you play badminton as a kid in gym class? Or maybe you played ping pong in your parent's basement? Get ready for a blast from the past with pickleball. This quirky-named sport has been a hit in Memphis, and now it's your turn to join in the fun. Grab your paddle, tie up your shoes, and get ready to 'dink' your way into a new favorite pastime!

photo of group of people standing outside pickleball courts talking while others play
Paul Wright
Bartlett Pickleball Courts

But first, what is pickleball?


Simply put, pickleball is a sport that is played on a court like badminton, over a net like tennis, and using paddles like ping pong. The ball itself is a wiffle-style ball made of plastic. The best part? It’s easy to learn, making it a great sport for all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or brand new to the game, the Memphis area offers plenty of options for playing or learning the game. So why not give it a try?

Be sure to follow Pickleball 901 for their pop-up pickleball courts across the city.

Midtown

Kroc Center

800 East Parkway South, Memphis, TN

The Kroc Center welcomes adults 18+ to play. It’s free for members and a $5 drop-in fee for non-members. That fee includes access to their equipment, and if you’re not sure how to play, you can ask an employee for a little guidance! They’re playing Pickleball at the Kroc Center every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

East Memphis

First Evangelical Church

735 Ridge Lake Boulevard, Memphis, TN

All ages and skill levels are welcomed to play at First Evangelical Church whether you’re a member of the church or not. The pickleball community is active with people playing every weekday, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Memphis Jewish Community Center

6560 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38138

Enjoy the eight brand new outdoor pickleball courts at the Memphis Jewish Community Center. They also have the option for indoor play on their basketball court. For pickleball programming, members have priority registration but community participants can register 10 days prior to the start of a program. Beginners can register for classes for a small fee.

Arlington

Arlington Fitness

11925 US-70, Arlington, TN

No need to be a member at Arlington Fitness to get in on the pickleball craze. For a $5 per person drop-in fee, you and your friends can call ahead and reserve space for your game. They even have paddles and balls available to borrow if you haven’t invested in your own gear yet. If you’re not sure how to play, you can make an appointment for a lesson with one of their instructors for an additional fee.

Cordova

Willow Grove Farms: Pickleball Paradise

391 North Sanga Road, Cordova, TN

Willow Grove Farms offers a place for all skill levels to play. With six outdoor courts situated on 15 acres, it’s a fun way to get outside, get moving, and meet other pickleball enthusiasts. Individual, family, youth, and corporate memberships are available.
 

Hope Church

8500 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova, TN (Entrance 3)

Curious about the sport, but feeling a little intimidated? Hope Church welcomes you to join in on the fun, or drop in to watch if you’re not ready to play yet. They’re playing every Monday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the gym. It’s open to adults of all fitness levels, and equipment is provided. They even have a certified associate pickleball coach on site. A donation of $2 is recommended, but not required.

Photo of Bartlett Pickleball Courts at night with overhead lights on to show visibility while playing in the evenings
Paul Wright

Bartlett

Shadowlawn Park

4744 Shadowlawn Road, Bartlett, TN

The Bartlett Pickleball Courts at Shadowlawn Park feature six lighted outdoor courts that are available for free on a first come, first served basis unless the courts are designated for a special event. They’re open from sunrise until 10 p.m. every day of the week. The lights come on from dusk until 10 p.m. March 1 - Nov. 30. In the winter, players can call the Athletics Office to schedule the lights. Bartlett Parks and Recreation even offer up pickleball “etiquette” on their website.

Singleton Community Center

7266 3rd Road, Bartlett, TN

If you’re looking for a place to learn, the Singleton Community Center has a lot of resources for you. Classes are available for those who are brand new or looking to improve their game. Classes fill up quickly though! If a private lesson is more your style, they offer those too. Open play is held most Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Keep tabs on their calendar for updates. The Singleton Community Center provides the nets and balls, but players should bring their own paddles. Fees vary depending on what you’re looking for, but if you just want to volley around at open play, a $5 drop-in fee will cover you for the day.

Bartlett Recreation Center

7700 Flaherty Place, Memphis, TN

There are three indoor courts available for all ages and skill levels at the Bartlett Recreation Center. The rec center is open on Thursday nights from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. It’s free to play for members. Non-members can play for a $15 drop-in fee, which is discounted for Bartlett residents. If you don’t have your own paddle, they have a few available to borrow on a first come, first served basis.

Bluff City Pickleball

2809 Bartlett Blvd

Bartlett has really become a leader in the local pickleball scene. The latest venue option for players is the Bluff City Pickleball complex. This movie-theatre turned pickleball venue is incredible with eight indoor courts and second floor viewing area. There are a variety of options for membership ranging from $45 to $70 a month or $10 for students. There are also household membership options too. Non-members can use a court for $15/person/hour. 

indoor pickleball court
Jalyn Souchek
Bluff City Pickleball

Collierville

 

The Linda Kerley Center

500 Poplar View Parkway, Collierville, TN

For those ages 50 and up, The Linda Kerley Center offers a perfect place to learn and play. Lessons cost $40 for four classes, equipment included. To register for lessons, call 901-457-2769. For those looking to “dink” around without lessons, open play is held several days a week at both The Linda Kerley Center and Collierville Community Center.

For open play, pickleballers need to bring their own equipment. The pickleball schedule is updated each month on The Linda Kerley Center’s website.

Collierville United Methodist Church

454 Poplar Avenue (Entrance 4)

The more the merrier at Collierville UMC! Pickleball is open to the public, all ages and skill levels, for a $2 donation. If you’re looking for something to get you moving after work, join them for open play on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. If you don’t have your own paddle, Collierville UMC has equipment available to borrow.

Schilling Farms YMCA

1185 Schilling Boulevard East, Collierville, TN

The Schilling Farms YMCA’s newly refurbished gym is open for pickleballers every weekday, Monday through Friday, from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. While there isn’t an instructor on site, they’ve seen as many as 15-20 people show up to play on any given day, so there’s likely to be other enthusiasts who would be happy to show you a thing or two. Pickleball is free for members and just $2 for non-members. Equipment is available to borrow for no additional charge.

Life Time Fitness

3470 S Houston Levee Rd.

Life Time Fitness has a brand-new state-of-the-art indoor pickleball court. The courts are open Sunday - Saturday beginning as early as 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. depending on the programming schedule. Players can enjoy open play, intro classes, clinics, and tournaments there. Open play also features times specified for beginners or more intermiedate/advance players. This is a great opportunity whether you're just getting started or looking to advance your game. 

Suggs Park

163 E South St.

Collierville's newest outdoor pickleball courts and maybe the nicest of the outdoor options there! This new spot offers six lighted, outdoor courts. Courts are open for play from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Pickleball 901

4610 Merchant Park Circle, Suite 501

What started as an outdoor pop-up series of pickleball courts has now turned into a full pickleball facility! Located at Carriage Crossing, they're open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can opt for unlimited monthly passes, day passes, or bundle package deals of 5 or 10 days. It boasts eight indoor courts!

Germantown

 

Cameron Brown Park

8628 Farmington Boulevard, Germantown, TN

With eight lighted courts, the Cameron Brown Park Pickleball Complex is a great place to meet up with friends to get your ‘pickle’ on. Since these courts are specifically designed for pickleball, the nets and lines are permanent. Just bring your paddles and a pickleball and you’re good to go.

Riverdale Park

7345 Neshoba Road, Germantown, TN

Riverdale is a public park that offers three outdoor pickleball courts to play on for free. Players do need to bring their own net and equipment. The courts are well lit so if your game isn’t over when the sun sets, there’s no need to rush.

Olive Branch

Olive Branch YMCA

8555 Goodman Road, Olive Branch, MS

Open play is held at the Olive Branch YMCA on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. It’s free for members. Non- members can pay a $5 drop-in fee and paddles are provided. While no formal lessons are available, the Olive Branch YMCA pickleballers are happy to teach new players who are excited to learn the game.

Pickleballers, unite!

The pickleball scene in Memphis is thriving! It’s bringing people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels together to enjoy the game. Whether you're a newbie or looking for some friendly competition, there is a supportive and enthusiastic community waiting for you.

Have a pickleball location we missed? Shoot us an email at [email protected].

About the Author

Meet Kelsey J. Lawrence, an award-winning journalist and freelance writer with a passion for outdoor adventure and family travel. Kelsey loves sharing experiences that push her beyond her comfort zone. 

With a broadcast journalism career spanning 15 years, Kelsey made her mark as a TV news producer and digital journalist, earning two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards and an Emmy Award. Her expertise also extends to Corporate Communications, having served as a Communications Manager at FedEx, where she earned numerous accolades for her work.

In August 2022, Kelsey welcomed her son, Parks, and has been embracing "mom life" ever since. She is the creative force behind Adventure Baby, a blog that aims to inspire first-time parents like herself to continue traveling and enjoying the great outdoors with their precious sidekicks.

Kelsey also enjoys working with business owners who are looking to enhance their marketing and communications efforts with compelling content and strategic outreach. Feel free to reach out to her if you’re looking to level up your branding and engage your audiences through impactful storytelling.

The most underrated thing(s) about Memphis:

Our beautiful and well-kept hiking trails and walking paths! Parks and I get outside to walk a few miles every morning. We especially love the natural beauty and shade of Shelby Forest as well as the views of the Mississippi River from the Riverwalk pathway to Big River Crossing. 

Your favorite Memphis event:

My favorite Memphis event is one I’m lucky enough to participate in annually. The Memphis Ski Freeze happens every year on New Year’s Day at Mud Island River Park. A few dozen of us water skiers and wakeboarders take to the Mississippi River in the frigid temperatures to raise money for The Dream Factory of Memphis. If you think that sounds cold, keep reading. I like to take it to the next level by braving the icy waters without a wetsuit. I was raised in North Dakota after all. 

Favorite thing to do in Memphis with kids:

There are so many family-friendly places to visit in Memphis, it’s hard to choose just one! We love the Memphis Zoo for so many reasons. Visiting the zoo is a great way to get some exercise and be outside while seeing some of our favorite animals. The zoo offers kids a variety of interactive opportunities to safely experience the wonders of the “wild.” My favorite experience, the Giraffe Feeding Adventure, gives children of all ages (and us big kids, of course) the chance to get up close and personal with the remarkable animals while learning and having fun. Pro tip? Check out the Memphis Zoo when it’s raining! That’s when the crowds thin out and the animals come out to play.

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